Bear in Heaven to mesmerize Schubas with ’80s, ’90s synth sound

If you hate synthesizers, you probably should stop reading. If you like synthesizers — a lot of synthesizers — the newBear in Heaven album may be for you. Idle Heart — the first song on I Love You, It’s Cool — sounds like it is straight off a 1990s Pet Shop Boys album. The rest of the album is ’80s and ’90s synth love. I hear a lot of New Order and even the Smiths — Sinful Nature reminds me so much of How Soon Is Now?

Does this eventually wear thin? Maybe. But I’d say I Love You, It’s Cool is very enjoyable, and the album is much more than a nostalgia act. It’s original.

Bear in Heaven is in Chicago two nights, Wednesday and Thursday, playing Schubas.